Jazz
on the Lawn Goes Broadway Sunday |
By Lookout Staff
August 15 -- The excitement of Broadway comes to Santa
Monica City Hall this Sunday at 5 p.m. when Billy Porter and friends
of Reprise Theatre perform songs from the Caribbean-themed musical
“Once on this Island.”
In addition, the singers, dancers and actors will perform great jazz tunes,
R&B classics, Broadway hits with a jazz twist and other memorable music.
Among the talents who will be performing are:
? Billy Porter, a singer, dancer and actor who has appeared on stage, screen,
television and records. Porter just released his second album, “At The
Corner Of Broadway + Soul: Live At Joe’s Pub,” an album that celebrates
his unique place as both a Broadway star and a gospel and soul singer.
? Leslie Odum, Jr., a Princess Grace Award winner for Acting is recognized
for having spent three seasons on the CBS hit drama CSI: Miami as fingerprint
specialist Joseph Kayle. His theatre credits include “Rent” on Broadway,
“Jersey Boys” at the La Jolla Playhouse and the world premiere Stephen
Sondheim revue “Being Alive” at Westport Country and Phila. Theater
Co., which was directed by Porter.
? Bryan Terrell Clark has appeared in many theatre productions including Alliances'
production of “Sophisticated Ladies,” and worked with an extensive
list of musicians including Kenny Lattimore, Al Green, Gladys Knight, Chaka
Khan, Patti LaBelle, Destiny's Child, and Stevie Wonder.
? Nita Whitaker began her career singing in her Louisiana church, and she is
now a former Miss Louisiana and Female Grand Champion on Star Search who has
released three CD’s: Her theatre credits include “Ragtime,”
“Me and Mrs. Jones,” “Ten Commandments” and Reprise’
“Sweeney Todd” and “A New Brain.”
? Jesse Nager has performed in Broadway shows such as “Mary Poppins,”
“Good Vibrations” and “Mamma Mia,” as well
as a long list of off-Broadway shows. He has sung at Madison Square
Garden with Mariah Carey and Shania Twain, and is also the founder
and artistic director of the Broadway Boys, a group of tenors from
various Broadway shows who add elements of Pop/Gospel/Funk to traditional
Broadway repertoire.
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